[WRIGHTSLAW] Transition Services, Transition Plans, a Great Transition Case - Special Ed Advocate (02/13/07) copy of newsletter

[Guest guest]

I subscribe to this newsletter. Thought the new parents might want to check it out.

Mom to Amy 19, Kelsey 16, Davey & on Friday (DS) and Will 7 on Friday too!

Download the printer-friendly version of this issue:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/07/nl.0213.htm

In This Issue:

1. It's Never too Early to Plan for Your Child's Future

2. Making the Transition from School to Work by Sue Heath

3. Transition Planning: Setting Lifelong Goals by Graham &

4. Great Transition Case! K.L. V. Mercer Island Sch. Dist (W.D. WA 2006)

5. Student Discount Program - Save up to 45% on slaw Books & Products

6. Preparing for Employment: On the Home Front

6. Coming Soon! slaw Programs in CA, NC, ME, IL, LA, VA

7. Subscription and Contact Info

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1. It's Never too Early to Plan for Your Child's Future

As we deal with the day-to-day challenges of educating children with

Disabilities, it's easy to focus on the trees and forget about the forest.

The purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is "to ensure

That all children with disabilities have available to them a free

Appropriate education ... [to] prepare them for further education,

Employment and independent living."

In this issue, we take a closer look at the forest - the transition planning

And transition services to ensure that our children ARE prepared for further

Education, employment and independent living.

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2. Making the Transition from School to Work by Sue Heath

A parent writes, "I want my son to be prepared to enter the workforce when

He leaves school. How can we we combine No Child Left Behind with vocational

Goals?"

In "Making the Transition from School to Work," Sue Heath answers this

Parent's' questions: "Parents need to start thinking about the transition to

Adulthood when their children are toddlers. Schools are not required to

Address this issue until the child is about to turn 16."

"Although schools exist primarily to provide academic instruction, they must

Address the transition needs of children with disabilities. Look at these

Issues separately, starting with the legal definitions, then at various

Aspects of transition."

Read "Making the Transition from School to Work" at

http://www.wrightslaw.com/heath/transition.work.htm

Sue writes about reading, No Child Left Behind, advocacy strategies,

High-stakes tests and retention in Doing Your Homework. You can read more

DYH articles at

http://www.wrightslaw.com/heath/dyh.index.htm

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3. Transition Planning: Setting Lifelong Goals by Graham & Pete

, Esq.

As we enter the second half of the school year, many parents hear the clock

Ticking louder as graduation nears. If you don't hear this clock, don't

Worry. Your day will come before you know it.

In "Transition Planning: Setting Lifelong Goals," Graham and Pete

provide practical advice and checklists that will help your child

Make a successful transition from school to employment and/or further education.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/trans.plan.graham.htm

The IDEA 2004 Transition Checklist describes the legal requirements of

Transition services plans. During your child's high school years, the IEP

Team must adhere to these requirements.

While IDEA 2004 provides the legal requirements for transition services,

There are things parents and students must do to prepare for life after high

School. Get these checklists and lots of good advice in "Transition

Planning: Setting Lifelong Goals" at:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/trans.plan.graham.htm

Learn about the new requirements for transition services, read articles, and

Download free publications about transition from "Transition Services & amp;

Transition Planning" at:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/trans.index.htm

=======================

4. Great Transition Case! K. L. V. Mercer Island School District (W.D. WA 2006)

A few weeks ago, we told subscribers about the decision in K. L v. Mercer

Island School District that described higher standards for a free

Appropriate public education.

In K. L. V. Mercer Island, the judge also focused the failure of the school

To develop IEPs that addressed K. L.'s transition to independent living and

Self-sufficiency.

The Judge found that "providing a 'meaningful educational benefit' under the

IDEA requires programs and results which reflect that Act's emphasis on

Preparation for self-sufficiency."

"The IDEA is not simply about "access;" it is focused on "transition

Services . . . An outcome-oriented process, which promotes movement from

School to post-school activities . . ." 20 U.S.C. 1401(3); 34 C.F.R. 300.29

Read the decision in "J. L. And M. L., and their minor daughter, K. L. V.

Mercer Island (WA) School District" at:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/law/caselaw/07/WA.jl.misd.htm

If you are interested in transition, you'll also want to read "Rebutting

Rowley? Independence and Self-Sufficiency Are the New Standards for FAPE" at:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/kl.misd.rowley.htm

More special education cases: http://www.wrightslaw.com/caselaw.htm

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5. Student Discount Program - Save up to 45% on slaw Books & Products

slaw publications are excellent teaching and learning resources for

students in colleges, universities, and law schools.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/pubs.htm

To get slaw materials into the hands of these students, our publisher

implemented a Student Discount Program.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/bks/stu.discount.htm

Qualifying students are eligible for discounts of 25% to 45% on slaw

publications and products. Learn more about the Student Discount Program:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/bks/stu.discount.htm

====================

6. Preparing for Employment: On the Home Front

As a parent, you are your child's first teacher. You are also your child's

most important role model.

To be successful in life after school, young people with disabilities need

to learn specific skills - goal setting, problem solving, decision making,

self-knowledge, and self-advocacy.

As the parent of a child with a disability, you need to ensure that your

child learns these skills. "Preparing for Employment: On the Home Front"

describes the skills our kids need to learn, and that we will need to teach

and model.

http://www.ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=2844

Pete and Pam offer this advice: "Your child needs to be strong and

resilient. Teach your child to work hard, set high goals, and how to handle

disappointments without giving up or giving in."

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7. Coming Soon! slaw Programs in CA, NC, ME, IL, LA, VA

The Winter 2007 schedule includes programs in these communities:

February 20: San Diego, CA - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training

http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/07.02.ca.htm

February 27: Charlotte, NC - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training

http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/07.02.nc.htm

March 8: Bangor, ME - Special Education Law and Advocacy Training

http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/07.03.me.htm

March 17: Downer's Grove, IL - Emotions to Advocacy Training

http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/07.03.il.htm

March 20: New Orleans, LA - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training

* Free to Louisiana Parents and Providers *

http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/07.03.la.htm

March 24: Norfolk VA - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training

http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/07.03.va.htm

Please check the schedule to see when we will be in your area:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/schedule.htm

slaw offers a variety of special education law and advocacy programs

and private training for organizations. If you are interested in bringing a

slaw program to your community, please read the Conference Information:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/conf.form.htm

====================

7. Contact and Subscription Info

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* Contact Info *

Pete and Pam

slaw & The Special Ed Advocate

P. O. Box 1008

Deltaville, VA 23043

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